The seasonal clock is ticking: There are still places to go, things to do before we must retire our sandals to the back of the closet.
1. Pierless dining
Yes, it’s a tourist magnet, but our restaurant critic Phil Vettel says he loves eating outdoors along the South Promenade at Navy Pier, soaking in the magnificence of Lake Michigan and the city’s skyline. Phil’s choices: the first-rate burgers at Charlie’s Ale House, the fine fish and shellfish at Riva and the barbecue and music at Joe’s Be-Bop Cafe.
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Charlie’s Ale House, 312-595-1440;Riva, 312-644-7482; Joe’s Be-Bop Cafe, 312-595-5299.
2. A real summer movie experience
Aurora’s Hi-Lite 30 Drive-In is one of the few remaining drive-ins in the Chicago area. You get FM stereo sound, a full-service kitchen and the double feature: a movie and a beautiful night sky. Now showing: “Anchorman” and “I, Robot.”
Box office opens at 7:45 p.m. daily, 34W160 Montgomery Rd., Aurora,$1-$6, 630-898-5888. For showtimes: www.novacinemas.com.
3. A turtle sundae and thou
Sweet Pea’s Ice Cream Parlor in Highwood is magical, boasting quality and quantity. There’s the homemade ice cream, and a double-dip sundae is huge. The turtle sundae, slathered with warm caramel, hot fudge and jumbo pecans, is the epitome of decadence.
Sweet Pea’s Ice Cream, 764 Sheridan Rd., Highwood, 847-266-1116.
4. Ozzy! Ozzy!
Sure, Tweeter Center is remote, the personnel tend to be boorish and the concession stands are mayhem. But Ozzfest on Aug. 21 is a one-stop feast of heavy metal, and it begins at 9 a.m.! Sabbath, Ozzy, Slayer, Slipknot and more.
Ozzfest, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $35.25-$75.25, 312-559-1212.
5. Wicker and William Wyler
Have a picnic at Museum Campus Chicago, the 57-acre lakefront park that joins the Adler Planetarium, Field Museum and John G. Shedd Aquarium. The campus has beautiful terraced gardens, a great view of the city’s lakeshore and walking and bike paths. One path leads to Grant Park’s Butler Field, where the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival runs Tuesdays through Aug. 24. Next up: “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (Tuesday) and “Roman Holiday” (directed by Wyler, Aug. 17).
For information on Museum Campus Chicago: www.museumcampus.org. Outdoor Film Festival screenings are every Tuesday at dusk, 100 S. Lake Shore Drive, free, 312-744-3315.
6. Monkeying around
Rent a paddle boat and cruise around the South Lagoon of the parklike grounds that house the Lincoln Park Zoo. Paddle boats available 10 a.m. to dusk daily, through Sept. 30 (weather permitting), rental dock is next to Cafe Brauer.
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Drive, $10-$15 for paddle boat rental, free for zoo admission, 312-742-2000.
7. Nice ice
You might get brain freeze if you inhale the Italian ice from Mario’s Italian Lemonade on Taylor Street too quickly. Whether it’s 11 a.m. or 11 p.m., cus-tomers flock to Mario and Dorothy DiPaolo’s 35-year-old landmark for the flavored ices that are as basic as lemon and as rich as chocolate.
11 a.m. to midnight daily, through mid-September, 1068 W. Taylor St.
8. A classical kind of Woodstock
Not Snoopy’s friend but the 18-year-old Woodstock Mozart Festival, which is all Mozart, all the time, in the lovely town of Woodstock.
Through Aug. 15, Woodstock Opera House,121 Van Buren St.,Woodstock, $18-$42, 815-338-5300.
9. Naperville’s Last Fling
Romp at the Naperville Last Fling Labor Day weekend. There’s a carnival, music, food, beer garden and parade. Main Stage headliners include Buddy Jewell (Sept. 4) and Hootie and the Blowfish (Sept. 5).
Sept. 3-6, on the Riverwalk, Main Street and Jackson Avenue, Naperville. Free, but some activities and performances require tickets, 630-961-4143.
10. All nature’s a stage
The Morton Arboretum is taking a natural approach to theater. Theatre-Hikes presents “The Comedy of Errors” Saturday-Sunday, and Aug. 14-15 on the grounds of the arboretum. Here’s how it works: You follow a hike leader to different locations for each scene, and find a comfortable place. Watch the scene, then hike to the next spot for the next act.
The Morton Arboretum, Interstate Highway 88 and Illinois Highway 53, Lisle. $17, including Arboretum entry ($10 members). 630-968-0074, www.mortonarb.org.
